Monday 29th October 2018
All IRELAND BULL BREEDS
ASSOCIATION All Breed
Championship Show
JUDGING BEST IN SHOW

It was an
absolute
privilege
for me to be
asked to
judge Best
in Show for
a committee
that also
gave me my
very first
start in
judging at
Green Star
Level.
Sincere
thanks to
Colette and
Johnny
Muldoon and
the All
Ireland Bull
Breeds team
for their
trust in me.
It was my
ambition
through
study, and
the natural
progression
required by
the Irish
Kennel Club,
to progress
gradually
through the
groups, and
to finally
achieve my
ultimate
aim, Best In
Show All
Breeds
Championship.
It took 23
years for me
to reach
this
platform, so
please
excuse me
for feeling
so proud.

I am very grateful to Annalena and
the hardworking committee of
Västernorrlands Kennelklubb
it was a great honour to judge at their
International Show oin Sundsvall, Sweden.
I must also thank my excellent ring stewards
Ann-Marie Lindberg and Mari Lundborg Sjastedt, for
keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Sunday 9th September 2018Judging
My Beloved Breed - The Tibetan TerrierThank you to the Committee and my lovely Ring
Stewards for keeping me on track
with courtesy and good humour

Class 1782 OB
(7 - 2) 1 Tempest’s Shadeacre Fly The Flag
For Alilah - A 2½ year old black of such breed type
and quality she caught my eye immediately. Her
correctly proportioned head had such classic
expression, with her well-developed lower jaw giving
the resolute expression often missing. Her large
round dark eyes, peeping from under a beautiful
headpiece drew me in. She was well balanced, and of
good size and shape, and stood on round flat feet,
supporting good bone and strength of muscle. Enough
neck, excellent lay of shoulder, tight elbows, level
topline with just the right arch and strength of
loin, sporting the correct tail-set, correct turn of
stifle and low set hocks. She was presented in
excellent double coat of the best texture, and moved
freely with style and soundness. She never put a
foot wrong and earned her CC and BOB
with ease.

Class 1779 JB (7 - 0)
1 Erskine-Jones’ Unohoo La La
Land - Sable sixteen month lady so balanced and
typical I was taken with her from the time she
entered the ring, with a beautiful feminine head of
correct ratio and expression, and such gorgeous dark
melting eyes. She was sturdy and well-muscled
throughout, well ribbed back with good depth, tight
elbows and good lay of shoulders into level topline
with correct tail-set, encased in a beautiful coat
of correct texture, presented to perfection. Her
angulations were so that she moved with enviable
freedom and style, covering the ground easily with
excellent reach and drive. She pushed my CC winner
hard and I awarded her
RCC.

Class 1773 LD
(6 - 0)
1
Guziolek's
Boshanti Neville - 2½ year old sable that caught my
eye on entering the ring, and he did not disappoint,
as what I saw with my eyes I felt with my hands.
Although up to size he showed no coarseness. I
loved his masculine head of excellent proportions,
and beautiful eyes, carried atop the strong neck
leading to well laid shoulders. He was so square
and commanding in stance, with sturdy body, tight
elbows, level topline, and strong loin, excellent
tail-set and such strength of muscle. His movement
was effortless with good reach and drive, holding
his virtues on the move. I felt no hesitation in
awarding him the
CC.

Unfortunately I
don't have
photographs of my
reserves, or the
other class winners,
except Best Puppy
and my choice for
PGB

Class 1774 OD (7 -
0)
1
Stuckbury Incalux
Perchance To Dream
About Kutula JW
Sh.CM. - This three
year old black was
very typical of our
breed, with no
exaggerations
evident. His strong
masculine head and
expression, was set
well on strong neck,
level topline, tight
elbows, slight rise
over loin, and
complimented by an
excellent tail-set.
I was impressed with
his condition and
muscle, as I was
with his
presentation of coat
and texture. He
held his square
outline, and was
stylish on the
move. I was pleased
to give him the

Class 1777 MPB
(10 - 1)
1James’
Waterley Partypiece - What can I say about this
little madam as she caught me hook line and sinker
the minute she put her first foot inside the ring,
and at barely six months just earning her right to
be there. She was so balanced and had everything in
correct proportions. Such a stylish black and
white girl with ultra-feminine head and expressive
eyes, she screamed at me to watch her move, and move
she did with such an attitude; she could not be
denied first place and
BP.

Class 1780 PGB (11 - 2)
1 Hindle's Abelenus Lil Rayna
Sunshine - Gold and white 20 month’s old of good
balance and type. Up to size but retains femininity
and shows no coarseness. She carries the correct
head with excellent pigment and round dark eyes.
Her strong medium neck flows into well laid
shoulders, and has tight elbows and good spring of
rib with depth. Her topline, turn of stifle and low
set hocks are also correct, and she carries a
beautiful coat of correct texture. If I am being
picky, I would like a little less of her, but her
square profile, and freedom of movement, which was a
pleasure to watch, would not let me deny her the
class win.

My sincere thanks to Mr Ronald W
James, Mrs Hilary Male and all committee members of
Richmond Dog Show Society, for the kind invitation
and opportunity to judge my breed, and to both my
stewards for keeping the ring running so efficiently
with courtesy and good humour, ensuring my
experience in the ring was very pleasant. I
was delighted with my entry and especially the
puppies, many showing great promise, with their
breeders thus ensuring the future of the Tibetan
Terrier. I thoroughly enjoyed the appointment and
found it extremely interesting and pleasurable. All
of the exhibitors, without exception, showed grace
and courtesy whatever the placing. I did find
the bitch classes generally held better quality than
the dog classes, and felt very privileged to go over
such splendid exhibits.

Class 1767
VD
(1 - 0) 1
Stuchbury's
Nefertari
Life On Mars
At Kutula -
At 8½ years
this black
has pleasing
masculine
head and
expression,
with
excellent
scissor
bite,
showing
strong white
dentition.
He is up to
size, but
sturdily
built, well
ribbed and
sprung with
good elbows,
good bone
and super
muscular
condition,
standing
well down on
pads,
finished
with coat of
correct
texture. He
is balanced,
and moved
with ease.
Still going
strong in
the final
challenge I
awarded him
BV.

Class 1768
SBD (1 - 0) 1
Turmaine’s Dolkar Diesel - Just over a year old,
this gold and white boy has a strong scissor bite,
and pleasing head. He needs to develop in
chest, and tighten up front and rear. I would
also like stronger bone and muscle, and to see him
in better coat condition. His movement was
difficult to access, as he was hesitant and fearful
with his handler, but was happy enough to keep his
tail up, which was nicely set.

Class 1769
MPD (7 - 0) 1
Meegan’s Avaness Whatever The Drama - This 9 month
old black boy of type, held himself together so
well. His head is shaping up nicely, with good
eye, ear placement, and regular scissor bite.
Expertly presented in good coat and condition,
covering the correct shaped frame, which he held on
the move, he shows much promise. His big flat
feet, level topline, good elbows, short loin, and
excellent tail set completed the picture. 2Guziolek’s Waterley Free
Spirit At Boshanti - At six months old this black
and white, with excellent coat and presentation,
also has a good head, with clean scissor bite, atop
a medium neck flowing into good front assembly.
At the moment he is slightly longer cast than one,
but I feel he will come together as he matures.
He moved very well. 3 Bateman’s Baltoro Black
To The Future

Class 1770
PD (1 - 0) 1
Plummer & Bingham’s Silgarhi Holy Smoke - Good size
ten month old black, sporting a white chest and
pleasing head of correct proportions, strong white
teeth in a scissor bite. He has adequate bone,
and angulation front and rear, and displays good
shape, topline and tail-set. His square
profile was held on the move in side gait, but he
needs to strengthen in rear movement.

Class 1771
JD (5 - 1) 1
Plummer & Bingham’s Gandaki Bust A Move - This
strong masculine black and white of almost 19
months, has a good neck carrying correct head,
showing no coarseness, and with good bite and
dentition. He is square with good angulation
fore and aft, pleasing shoulders, elbows, bone,
topline and tail-set. He moved well. 2Skaboullos' Fabulous Teddy's
Path Finder To Cloudbuster (Imp) - Black and white
14 month old square boy, of correct shape and size,
but lacked the masculinity of first. For my
taste I would prefer stronger bone and substance.
He was presented in good coat, with level topline
and good tail-set, but although a good size he is
not quite finished yet. I would like more reach on
the move, and he needs to tighten in elbow. 3Turmaine’s Dolkar Diesel

Class 1772
PGD (8 - 0) 1
Shorts Araki Turn Back Time At Parkmist Sh.CM. -
Almost 3 years, gold and white with masculine head,
good eye, and scissor bite in a strong jaw. He
was presented in full double coat of good quality,
and has a sturdy square body, well balanced with
adequate angulations, and keeps a good profile on
the move, with his level topline and correct
tail-set. 2Inwood &
Price Lasang Mr Dick At Bedivere - 26 months black
with white chest, and very typical. A little
longer cast than one, but he had a pleasing
masculine head of good proportions, with lovely eye
and ear placement. Angulations were good fore
and aft, and so he moved well, but not quite the
style or presence of first. 3 Stringer’s
Kyipo’s Keepsake Made For Incalux JW

Class 1773
LD (6 - 0) 1
Guziolek's Boshanti Neville - 2½ year old sable that
caught my eye on entering the ring, and he did not
disappoint, as what I saw with my eyes I felt with
my hands. Although up to size he showed no
coarseness. I loved his masculine head of
excellent proportions, and beautiful eyes, carried
atop the strong neck leading to well laid shoulders.
He was so square and commanding in stance, with
sturdy body, tight elbows, level topline, and strong
loin, excellent tail-set and such strength of
muscle. His movement was effortless with good reach
and drive, holding his virtues on the move. I felt
no hesitation in awarding him the CC. 2
Roberts Whitehead Selby & Gisslen Re Smon Ta
Champagne Shadeacre - At three months shy of his
fourth birthday, this black and white is another
with strong masculine head and expression of correct
proportions. Preferred the lay of shoulder on
first, but he also had a good topline and tail-set,
good bone, correct feet and was square in profile,
with good coat and texture. Although somewhat
restricted, he moved quite well. 3Rudderham’s Araki Renegade In
Red With Taxiki

Class 1774
OD (7 - 0) 1
STUCHBURY Incalux Perchance To Dream About Kutula JW
Sh.CM. - This three year old black was very typical
of our breed, with no exaggerations evident.
His strong masculine head and expression, was set
well on strong neck, level topline, tight elbows,
slight rise over loin, and complimented by an
excellent tail-set. I was impressed with his
condition and muscle, as I was with his presentation
of coat and texture. He held his square
outline, and was stylish on the move. I was
pleased to give him the RCC. 2 Fenton's Int.
CH. Layoli Hot N’Smokin JW Sh. CM. - At five years
old, this is another black boy typical for the
breed. Head of correct proportions with good
stop, and dark eye, strong neck into good shoulders
and topline, also sturdy and well-muscled, he moved
well.
3 Plummer’s Tetsikarma Strgazer Sh.CM.

Class 1775
VB (3 - 0) 1
Rutley's Ch. Javeys Here Comes Summer JW Sh.CM. - At
8 years this black lady has the correct head and
expression and is square and balanced in profile.
Straight front legs and adequate angulation fore and
aft, good topline and tail-set, sturdy with strong
bone and good muscle and condition, with beautiful
coat of correct texture presented well, she was able
to cover the ground all be it a little reluctant.
2 Cherry’s Ch. Lynces Diamonds And Pearls JW Sh.CM.
- At a couple of weeks shy of her eight birthday,
this black and white girl was very feminine, with
her attractive head and beautiful eyes. I
would have liked a little more bone and substance
throughout, but her square shape, level topline and
correct tail-set was very appealing on the move as
well as in stance. 3 Hedger & Bourne’s Araki
Playing With Fire

Class 1776
SBB (2 - 1) 1
Chenery’s Snoanda Sweet Painted Lady - Just 14
months, but I liked this small black bitch for her
type. Her feminine head and expression of
correct proportions, clean scissor bite, lovely head
carriage and square outline appealed to me. She
showed beautiful balance. I would have
preferred a little more substance throughout, and
she needs to come together on the move. She
was my BSB.

Class 1777
MPB (10 - 1) 1
James’ Waterley Partypiece - What can I say about
this little madam as she caught me hook line and
sinker the minute she put her first foot inside the
ring, and at barely six months just earning her
right to be there. She was so balanced and had
everything in correct proportions.
Such a stylish black and white girl with
ultra-feminine head and expressive eyes, she
screamed at me to watch her move, and move she did
with such an attitude; she could not be denied first
place and BP. 2 Gilbert’s Gandaki Rock N’roll
- Eight month Black and Tan of excellent type,
lovely head of correct proportions atop a strong
medium neck. Although so young this little
lady was sturdy and well-muscled throughout.
Good elbows, level topline and good tail-set,
presenting a balanced outline. She moved well
when she settled. 3Hadlow & Hearne’s Snoanda
Hello Dolly

Class 1778
PB (5 - 0) 1
Skaboullos’ Rogell’s Zesty Lady Cloudbuster (Imp) -
21 month gold and white up to size, and although she
does not lose her femininity I would have preferred
a little less of her overall. Good pigment and
beautiful dark eyes, set correctly in a strong head,
carried well over a level topline, with good
shoulders, elbows and tail-set. She had good
bone and muscle, correct feet, adequate angulation
fore and aft, and presented a balanced picture, with
good movement. 2 Fenton's Layoli Glowing
Embers - Young lady of 10 months, with oh so
feminine head and expression, beautiful dark eyes,
good ear placement, and reverse scissor bite,
presenting a very typical Tibetan Terrier. Her
black coat is coming in nicely and frames her square
outline, would like a better lay of shoulders, but
has good elbows, topline and tail-set. She
moved well enough though a little close behind.
3 Stringer’s Incalux Prime Suspect

Class 1779
JB (7 - 0) 1
Erskine-Jones’ Unohoo La La Land - Sable sixteen
month lady so balanced and typical I was taken with
her from the time she entered the ring, with a
beautiful feminine head of correct ratio and
expression, and such gorgeous dark melting eyes.
She was sturdy and well-muscled throughout, well
ribbed back with good depth, tight elbows and good
lay of shoulders into level topline with correct
tail-set, encased in a beautiful coat of correct
texture, presented to perfection. Her
angulations were so that she moved with enviable
freedom and style, covering the ground easily with
excellent reach and drive. She pushed my CC
winner hard and I awarded her RCC. 2 Hadlow's
Quidditch A Touch Of Sass - 1½ year old with
beautiful feminine head of correct proportions,
excellent pigment and dark eyes. Her red sable
and white coat, beautifully presented, framed a
sturdy and square body, with good neck, shoulders,
elbows, topline and tail-set. Her bone
was good and she was nicely muscled throughout, with
enough angulations fore and aft to move correctly
and also with style. I was delighted so see
such quality in this class, that I was spoiled for
choice. 3
Chenery’s Snoanda Sweet Painted Lady

Class 1780
PGB (11 - 2) 1Hindle's Abelenus Lil Rayna
Sunshine - Gold and white 20 month’s old of good
balance and type. Up to size but retains
femininity and shows no coarseness. She
carries the correct head with excellent pigment and
round dark eyes. Her strong medium neck flows
into well laid shoulders, and has tight elbows and
good spring of rib with depth. Her topline,
turn of stifle and low set hocks are also correct,
and she carries a beautiful coat of correct texture.
If I am being picky, I would like a little less of
her, but her square profile, and freedom of
movement, which was a pleasure to watch, would not
let me deny her the class win. 2Sayer’s Cashay Miss Martha -
At three months shy of her fourth birthday, this
sable bitch had the correctly proportioned and
feminine head that pleases me, with round dark eyes
and good ear placement. Of good size and
square, she was well ribbed with correct topline and
tail-set, and enough angulations fore and aft to
present a balanced picture. She moved well
holding her shape. 3 Honey’s Alilah Carmel
Ciro At Khyibrang

Class 1781
LB (9 - 0) 1
Lawrence’s Lamlux Coqo Amala For Ludgate - A four
year old black of good type and strength, possibly a
little too much strength, but everything was in
proportion, including her beautiful head and
expression, with good stop. This lady was also one
of the few that had a reverse scissor bite; she also
had a good length of neck, good shoulders and
elbows, well ribbed, with good topline and tail-set,
superb muscle that carried her with style. She
had the class won as she powered about the ring with
such sound movement. 2 Honey’s Khyibrang
Queen Of The Straits - 2 year old black of excellent
quality and type. Correct head and feminine
expression with good stop, good eye shape and
darkness, carried neatly on a good neck flowing into
well laid shoulders, sturdy body and well sprung
ribs. Good topline, tail-set, bone, feet,
muscle and angulations. Although I preferred her
size, there just wasn’t the freedom and movement I
appreciated on my first placed bitch. 3
Erskine-Jones’ Unohoo Here Comes Flora

Class 1782
OB (7 - 2) 1
Tempest’s Shadeacre Fly The Flag For Alilah - A 2½
year old black of such breed type and quality she
caught my eye immediately. Her correctly
proportioned head had such classic expression, with
her well-developed lower jaw giving the resolute
expression often missing. Her large round dark
eyes, peeping from under a beautiful headpiece drew
me in. She was well balanced, and of good size
and shape, and stood on round flat feet, supporting
good bone and strength of muscle. Enough neck,
excellent lay of shoulder, tight elbows, level
topline with just the right arch and strength of
loin, sporting the correct tail-set, correct turn of
stifle and low set hocks. She was presented in
excellent double coat of the best texture, and moved
freely with style and soundness. She never put
a foot wrong and earned her CC and BOB with ease.
2 Dennis' Boshanti Angelina At Denfast - Just three
months shy of her fifth birthday, this bitch is of
pleasing type, feminine but sturdy and strong, with
good head proportions and strength of muzzle also
giving her that resolute expression, dark round
eyes, good neck, straight legs, good feet, strong
body well ribbed back, good topline and hindquarters
with well set on tail. A beautifully presented
double coat of correct texture framed her square
outline. Excellent head carriage contributed
to a pleasing profile on the move. 3 Summers’
Anjimalsea Hello Dolly

Maureen Tate-Byrne

Sunday 13th May 2018

Lidköping Sweden judging for SKARABORGS
KENELKLUBB
Thank you to
The Committee and my lovely Ring
Stewards for keeping me on track
Best of Breed & Best Opposite Sex
out
of an entry of 63
Best 0f Breed
went on to Group 4
& Best Breeders Group
went on to Group 4
Best Opposite Sex
challenged closely
Beautiful Junior
Bitch
one to watch
Sincere thanks also to the exhibitors.
It
is always a pleasure to judge your
beautiful dogsand your
sportsmanship is to be envied.
Saturday 12th May 2018Lidköping
Sweden judging for SDHK Nationell Utstallning
Thank you to
Björn Einarsve for Ensuring my
Safe Arrival at
The HotelAlso to The Committe and My Very Pleasant
and Efficient Ring StewardsBest In ShowBest Veteran In ShowReserve Best Veteran In ShowBest Breeders Group In Show

Sincere thanks also to the exhibitors.
It is always a
pleasure to judge your
beautiful dogsand your sportsmanship
is to be envied.

Saturday 9th
September 2017
Bangor & North
Down Canine Club All Breed Championship Show
JUDGING - Always a
Great Privilege

In American
Akita - CH
CANNONBAR
ASSASSINS
CREED
my Green
Star and
Best of
Breed winner
went on to
win Group 2

In Phalene -
CH MEIN
DROOMS WANDA
JUN CH
my Green
Star and
Best of
Breed winner
was from the
Junior Class

My
sincerest thanks to
Ewa Vikermo Rajala and the
super friendly and efficient committee of

Sodra Norrbottens
Kennelklubb,
Sweden for their kind
invitation to Judge
and to the
exhibitors for
their sportsmanship
and cheery acceptance of
my placing,
also for many
beautiful dogs putting a
hairs breadth between my
decisions.

NORSK
Kennel Klub
All Breed
International Championship Show
Sunday 18th June
2017
Tromsø Norway
I was
most
pleased when
the pug I
chose as
winner of
Group 9
Puppy was
also awarded
Reserve Best
Puppy in
Show
The
icing on the
cake –
My
choice for
GROUP 9 The
stunning
Bichon Frise
Awarded
BEST IN SHOW

Group 1
O'Sullivan's
Quay Open
Show
16.02.2014
Winner
'Mertrisa
Dark Secret
at Willodena'
& Reserve 'Cluain
Ultaigh
Cream Of The
Barley'
This Photo
Is Courtesy
of Rob Foley
and is
copyright
and not to
be copied or
saved by any
third party

Group 2
O'Sullivan's
Quay Open
Show
16.02.2014
Winner 'Rosamic
The Special
One' &
Reserve 'Ballygunnermore
Hazel Prince
Of Carrue'
This Photo
Is Courtesy
of Rob Foley
and is
copyright
and not to
be copied or
saved by any
third party

Group 3
O'Sullivan's
Quay Open
Show
16.02.2014
Winner 'Beechcrest
Blue
Boomerang
Jnr. Ch.' &
Reserve
'Wake The
Beast
Plcoolast'
This Photo
Is Courtesy
of Rob Foley
and is
copyright
and not to
be copied or
saved by any
third party

Group 5
O'Sullivan's
Quay Open
Show
16.02.2014Winner 'Amoyalois
Rufus' &
Reserve 'Zamoyski
Lucky Teddy
Bear'
This Photo
Is Courtesy
of Rob Foley
and is
copyright
and not to
be copied or
saved by any
third party

In all my
travels across
our great
country and
around the world
attending shows,
and talking to
breeders and
judges, I have
never quite
understood how
two intelligent
people could
look at the same
dog and "see" it
so differently.

How many times
have you been at
a show, sitting
ring side
watching the
dogs in the
ring, and in
your own mind
placing them
first through
fourth? Then,
when the time
comes for the
finger pointing,
the judge places
his entry in a
different order.
Did you find
yourself
wondering if
perhaps the
judge was either
uninformed on
the standard or
was he or she
just plain
"blind" with
enmity or
partiality? I
have, and
recently, and I
try very hard
not to question
a judge’s
placements
because I am not
the guy in the
ring, and
because I do not
enjoy being
second-guessed
myself.
Something also
happened
recently which
gives me cause
to ask the
question, “Do
you see what I
see?” My wife
and I were
watching (for
the umpteenth
time) the movie,
The Da Vinci
Code. Yes, I
know it is based
on some
half-truths
which are
presented as
historical fact
and that some
people have a
difficult time
separating fact
from literary
fiction, but it
is one of our
favorites. In
this film, there
is an important
scene where
Robert Langdon
(Harvard
professor of
Symbology and
Art History),
Sophie Neveu
(French National
Police
cryptographer)
and Sir Leigh
Teabing (Holy
Grail scholar
and historian)
discuss the
possibility of
hidden images in
Leonardo da
Vinci's
masterpiece, The
Last Supper. At
one point in
this scene,
Teabing refers
to “scotomisation,”
a word not
currently in the
vocabulary of
most dog show
enthusiasts.
Teabing hints to
the meaning when
saying, “The
eyes see what
they want to
see.”
Understanding
this concept is
one of the keys
to unlocking the
mystery of why a
judge (or any
person) does not
see a dog’s
strengths and
weaknesses in
exactly the same
way.

"Scotomisation"
is the
psychological
tendency in
people to see
what they want
to see. And, not
see what they do
not want to see.
Perception
involves seeing
and processing
information
through the
filter of our
intellect, life
experiences and
our emotions.
That is why
people often see
the same thing
differently.
Scotomisation
can be the cause
of a false
denial, but also
a false
affirmation of
our perceptions.
However, it is
now obvious to
me that
different people
(even
conformation
judges) do
actually see the
identical dog
differently.
And, we see that
dog differently
for some of the
following
reasons:

We are all
victims of what
we have seen
before: For
example, if
someone has
never before
seen the correct
shoulder in a
dog, it is
awfully hard for
that same person
to see the
varying degrees
of correctness
in the shoulder
of a dog that he
or she may be
looking at. In
any breed, where
the type has not
yet been firmly
"set," if
someone has seen
dogs of a given
breed in his or
her part of the
country, it is
difficult, if
not impossible,
for him or her
to see other
types as
correct. It is
easy, therefore,
to understand
why a breeder or
judge could look
at a dog and say
that he is sound
when he is not
sound, or fail
to see certain
aspects of a
type other than
the type he or
she is used to
seeing.

There is a
problem of
"relativity":
For example, if
someone is used
to looking at
yellow eyes,
then any degree
of brown is a
"dark eye" to
that observer.
If on the other
hand, one is
accustomed to
looking into
black eyes, then
any other shade
of brown looks
light to the
beholder. And,
if an onlooker
is used to
looking at tails
that do not
reach the hock
in a breed where
they are
required to do
so, then any
tail that does
reach the hock
is a "long
tail." On the
other hand, if
the observer
always sees
tails to the
hock or below,
then anything
that does not or
just barely
reaches the hock
is a "short
tail" to that
viewer. All of
us have a basis
of comparison,
and our eyes
"see" a dog in
relation to that
contrast.

Our eyes do not
know what they
are trying to
see:
We have often
heard the
phrase, “What a
‘sweet
expression’ that
dog has?” So,
how do we get
our eyes to see
that sweet
expression? Last
month, a friend
and I were told
by a mutual
acquaintance
that a certain
breed of dog
“frowns.” Last
week, that same
friend and
colleague told
me that during a
recent judging
assignment he
looked for, but
he could not see
the “frown” on
the faces of the
dogs entered
under him. I
think that is
because this
really was an
impossible thing
to look for,
just as is the
so-called “sweet
expression.” It
seems reasonable
that what our
eyes can try to
see are the
various parts
that go together
to make up one
of the
ill-defined
traits of a dog
that we are
supposed to be
looking for.

Often, we see
what we want to
see:
Because we all
love our dogs
and are proud of
them, none of us
are immune to
seeing things as
we would like
them to be. It
is amazing how
we can get our
eyes to see dogs
the way we would
like to see
them. In a given
breed, where
there is a size
disqualification
(and sometimes a
size problem),
many people's
eyes can
actually “see"”
their dog as
being insize,
and a
competitor's dog
as oversized.
Your eyes really
can fool you
here. History is
filled with
accounts of the
winning dog,
that many
disliked, having
the stick called
on him and,
consistently,
measuring well
within the
standard. The
viewers saw him
as oversized,
even though he
was in fact not
over the size
defined by the
standard.
Conversely, I
have met some
owners of
substantially
oversized dogs
who would be
quick to assure
us that their
dogs were well
within the
standard’s size
limit. This is
because their
own eyes
actually saw an
in-size dog.

The next time
you are watching
a dog in the
ring, be sure
you remember
that neither you
or the judge are
"seeing" the
same dog in
exactly the same
way. The same
dog does
actually appear
different to
each of you.